Space Shuttle Discovery Set To Launch, 24th Feb 2011

[Brogan]

When you see how much planning that goes into a launch and how many mission critical issues there are, it makes you wonder how long it's going to be before reaching orbit is no different to just getting on a plane.

 

[McZiderRed]

2 seconds left wasn't it?

0 - Space in 6 minutes is pretty cool.

Yep! It were close!

I think I heard them say that a couple of rocket burns tomorrow and Discovery will be lined up to meet the ISS as planned...

When you see how much planning that goes into a launch and how many mission critical issues there are, it makes you wonder how long it's going to be before reaching orbit is no different to just getting on a plane.

Yeah, you're right Bro.

I don't think Mr Branson has yet solved all the "little" issues that commercial space flight might throw up..!

Are Virgin still pursuing their space program..?

 

[Brogan]

Are Virgin still pursuing their space program..?

If it's anywhere near as bad as their F1 team, I bloody hope not

 

[FB]

http://www.virgingalactic.com/

 

[tooncheese]

In the middle of watching it Steve Jobs decided that now was the right time to make me download Quicktime

. Still first time I've seen it live.

 

[McZiderRed]

Ever wondered what it looks like when two Astronauts participate in a space walk?

Well, just watch NASA tv right now, to find out....

 

[McZiderRed]

OK, as I wrote that NASA lost transmission!

"Normal" space walk viewing will resume shortly.....​

​

EDIT: Or maybe not...

 

[McZiderRed]

And coverage is back!

 

[McZiderRed]

In case you missed the first EVA (extra-vehicular activity, or space-walk...) yesterday, the second EVA is tomorrow.

2 March 2011

EVA #2    preparation - 12:13 GMT

EVA #2    begins      - 15:18 GMT

EVA #2    ends        - 21:48 GMT

NASA Television schedule

A 6.5 hour stint*, "walking" in the vacuum of space. I'm not sure what they've got planned, but I just love watching them go about their business with the Earth spinning in the background. Not often that one gets to see that...

*Presumably the astronaut's mummy will have told them to 'go' before they leave, as it's a long journey and there's no stopping for leaks...

 

[Speshal]

*Presumably the astronaut's mummy will have told them to 'go' before they leave, as it's a long journey and there's no stopping for leaks...

Presumably NASA will have remembered to pack the nappies so they can recycle it back into drinking water

 

[McZiderRed]

Have a look inside the Space Shuttle, Discovery, courtesy of this BBC report, before Discovery is sent to a Museum in Washington DC.
BBC link >> Space shuttle retires: Inside fleet leader Discovery

 

[Sarinaide]

Space travel is like that old dying novalty that some have trouble letting go off. It is not that lusturous venture to the unknown as it used to be.

Instead of spending billions on glorified zero grav joy walks, lets put the money into development to reaching the next frontier.

 

[Bill Boddy]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

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